Dr.

Robert Hickson

17 February 2014 The Holy Family's Flight into Egy t

Weighing the Consequences of Character: The Contrasting Depictions and Diplomatic Acts of Popes Pius XI and Pius XII
!n my ongoing e""orts to un#erstan# certain olicies o" $o e $ius %! & es ecially his

ecumenical Ostpolitik to'ar#s (olshe)ik*+o)iet Russia ,1-22*1-../ an# his correlati)e ,an# concurrent/ conciliatory olicy to'ar#s 0e"tist France ,es ecially #uring the years 1-21*1-27/ & ! came across a "air an# in#ee# a""ectionate assessment o" the character o" $ius %!'s successor2 $o e $ius %!!. This set o" #iscernments 'as ren#ere# by one o" his closest an# #e)ote# a#)isors2 Domenico Tar#ini2 'ho also intimately kne' $ius %!3 an# his testimony has in#irectly an# une4 ecte#ly hel e# to clari"y many matters about some earlier $a al ru#ential ,an# moral/ #ecisions ,an# some seeming omissions/&be"ore2 #uring2 an# a"ter 5orl# 5ar !! & 'hich ha)e hitherto been to me largely unintelligible2 not only ine4 licable. For2 $a al Di lomacy & Ostpolitik an# Ecumenism & is no substitute2 no re lacement2 "or 6ur 0a#y's 'arning 'or#s o" mercy "rom Hea)en. 5e may run2 but 'e can't hi#e "rom the matter o" Fatima. 7ot e)en no'. 0et us2 there"ore2 "irst 'elcome the 1-1- 'or#s o" 8onsignor ,later 9ar#inal/ Domenico Tar#ini: 'or#s 'hich he o en*hearte#ly e4 resse# shortly a"ter the #eath o" $o e $ius %!! on 6ctober 1-1;2 an# it 'as to be less than t'o years be"ore his o'n su##en #eath on .0 <uly 1-=1. These some'hat lengthy #e ictions an# #iscernments concerning2 not only $ius %!!2 but also $ius %!2 shoul# be sa)ore# an# care"ully consi#ere#2 an# not only attenti)ely rea#: $ius %!! ha# a gentle an# rather timi# tem erament. He was not made for struggle. !n this he 'as )ery #i""erent "rom his great re#ecessor $ius %!2 'ho seeme#2 a arently at least2 to relish a struggle. $ius %!!2 on the contrary2 )isibly su""ere# "rom them. This inclination2 'hich le# him to re"er solitu#e an# calm2 #is ose# him to a)oi# rather than "ace the battles o" li"e. His great goo#ness le# him to please everybody and irritate no one3 to re"er the 'ays o" mil#ness to those o" se)erity2 ersuasion to "orce. The candor of his soul did not even permit him to suspect a lack of veracity or sincerity in someone else. Humble as he was, he believed that everyone was like him: just as devoted to truth, just as selfless as he was. +ometimes at the most #i""icult moments2 his enetrating intelligence2 a lying itsel" to the situation2 ma#e him see rom tly an# clearly all the ossible solutions >sic?. !mme#iately there a eare# to him the ros an# cons2 the a#)antages an# #isa#)antages2 the ossible "a)orable or un"a)orable 1

conse@uences. Then he 'oul# remain uncertain, hesitant, as if he were not sure of himself. Then he ha# to be le"t to re"lect an# ray. But not everyone acted in this way...One person suggested one thing and another suggested something else. E)eryone & as o"ten ha ene# & claime# to ha)e "oun# the Aust solution2 the only solution2 the solution the $o e ha# to "ollo'. ll that troubled him. Once the decision was made, it had to e e!ecuted: this too was a delicate step, especiall" if the decision made was " its nature displeasing to some . !n this case2 $ius %!! lo)e# & as he himsel" use# to say & Bto s'eeten the illC.... D @uestion can be aske# here: is it ossible "or a man not only to con@uer himsel"2 but to #estroy an# e)en annihilate >sic? his o'n natural #is ositionsE ! #on't think so. Fi)en human "railty2 something o" the tem erament remains in the #e ths o" the sychic structure o" man2 an# at certain moments emerges at the sur"ace once more. !oreover, a person who occupies an elevated post very fre"uently encounters among those who approach him, somebody clever enough to e#ploit his weak side. The interest of the e#ploiter, his ideas or his friends profits $sic% from the superior&s weak side. 'ius ()) himself cannot be entirely e#empted from this common law of human e#istence.1 ,!!!&110*111&italics in the original2 my bol# em hasis a##e#/ (y 'ay o" "urther contrast2 an# almost t'enty*"i)e years earlier2 the scholar Father $hili Hughes ha# gi)en his o'n sym athetic an# com arably consi#ere# assessment o" $o e $ius %!'s character an# #ee 2 s ontaneous tem erament2 to be "oun# in his o'n 1-.7 book2 entitle# 'ope 'ius the *leventh. 5hat this riestly English scholar re)eals also con"irms 8onsignor Tar#ini's 1-1- 'or#s about $ius %!. (ut2 here are Father Hughes's o'n 'or#s: $ius %! once ublicly than#ed $od for the grace that he li)es in an age o" critical change. The Pope%s whole temperament is2 in "act2 to s eak hiloso hically2 cast for the irasci le emotions. Action and attac# are in his lood& 'ortitude, that stimulates in the presence of fear and that tempers impetuosit" efore attac#, is his characteristic (irtue . He can a""or# to look
1 FrGre 8ichel #e la +ainte TrinitH ,b.1-4;/2 9R9 ,the 0ittle (rothers o" the +acre# Heart/2 The +hole Truth about ,atima &in 4 Iolumes. ,(u""alo2 7e' Jork: !mmaculate Heart $ublications2 1-;-/2 . 110*111 in Iolume !!!&the 6riginal French E#ition 'as co yrighte# in 1-;.. 8ost o" the @uotations an# citations in the abo)e Essay 'ill be "rom Iolume !! an# Iolume !!!2 an# all re"erences in the te4t abo)e2 unless other'ise s eci"ie#2 'ill gi)e the age number an# the )olume number in arentheses imme#iately "ollo'ing the e4ten#e# @uotations. These lengthy an# 'ell*researche# )olumes combine the sacre# e)ents themsel)es an# ecclesiastical history 'ith tem oral*secular olitical history&to inclu#e the history o" the Re)olution an# )arious re)olutionary mo)ements ,e.g.2 (olshe)ik2 Fascist an# 7ational +ocialist2 Re)olutionary*Kto ian 0iberal Democracy2 an# Theological 8o#ernism/. The "our )olumes shoul# be rea# in their entirety&also to consi#er the multi le "ootnotes an# bibliogra hy ro)i#e#. Each o" the "our )olumes has a subtitle: Iolume !&B+cience an# the FactsC3 Iolume !!&BThe +ecret an# the 9hurchC ,1-17*1-42/3 Iolume !!!&BThe Thir# +ecretC ,1-42*1-=0/3 Iolume !I ,7o' (eing $re are#/&B!n the En# 8y !mmaculate Heart 5ill Trium hC ,1-=0*1-;-/

e)ents in the "ace2 an# to kno' all the "acts2 "or it is his nature > i.e.2 o" his essence? to be ha iest 'hen he is "acing them. 2 ,2=-*270&my em hasis a##e#/ 5e may come to see2 ho'e)er2 that $ius %!'s strength o" character #i# not entirely shiel# him "rom some gra)e illusions2 nor their lethal e""ects & some o" 'hich he ne)er kne' or2 at least2 ne)er a#mitte#. For2 as it seems2 he 'as not at all incline# to Blose "ace.C $ius %!2 'hile being an# remaining resolutely silent about Fatima2 'as2 sur risingly2 not to ercei)e the #eceits an# 'orl#ly maneu)ers o" BThe 8osco'*$aris*Rome TriangleC 'hich gra#ually 'as "orme# 'ith the interme#iation o" the French Foreign 6""ice ,the Luai #'6rsay/2 es ecially in the years 1-21*early 1-27. The French Foreign 6""ice cle)erly stro)e to become in#is ensable to the $o e: to be the #esigne#ly Bin#is ensableC me#iator or s ecious B"acilitatorC "or $ius %!'s Ostpolitik2 an# thereby create a situation to ro#uce $ius %!'s Aust sense o" moral in#ebte#ness to them. +o2 too2 'as $ius %!! later to become Ba $o e torn bet'eenC a set o" obAecti)ely an# starkly incommensurate alternati)es. ,!!!&14-/ He 'as to sho' himsel" to be a sensiti)e2 in#ecisi)e $o e 'ho regrettably an# ersistently )acillate# bet'een "ollo'ing2 on the one han#2 the challenging re@uests o" Fatima2 an#2 on the other han#2 com lying 'ith another kin# o" Ostpolitik: namely the la4er ,an# #elusional/ Ostpolitik o" the Dmerican $resi#ent F.D. Roose)elt2 'ho ha# his o'n e)en more #angerous illusions about +talin an# the +o)iet Knion2 illusions 'hich $ius %!!2 in his o'n heart2 #i# not ha)e2 as he thus bore the increasing bur#ens o" conscience in silence2 in a trembling silence. $ius %!! ut his )ie's in a can#i# #i lomatic 0etter he 'rote to an Dmerican in +e tember o" 1-42 alread"2 only a little o)er a year a"ter the 22 <une 1-41 attack by Fermany on the +o)iet Knion2 'hich cruel #es otism then became the ur orte# B7e' DllyC o" the chimerical 5estern Democracies: ! "ear that the articles on li ert" of conscience or religion >c". 0eo %!!!'s BdeliramentumC? that you >Dmericans? ha)e romise#2 in the name o" your go)ernment2 to inclu#e in "uture agreements bet'een the >5estern? Dllies an# +o)iet Russia2 'ill not a ear there. Jou >8yron Taylor? ha)e gi)en me the rele)ant acts2 ut #nowing what I #now a out communism, I ha(e the greatest dou ts a out this illusion of "our go(ernment . Dt the re@uest o" $resi#ent Roose)elt2 the )atican has refrained from all polemics >sic? against the communist regime >an# #octrine2 tooE?2 but this silence which weighs on our consciences has not been un#erstoo# >E? by the +o)iet lea#ers2 'ho continue their ersecutions against the 9hurch an# the "aith"ul in the K.+.+.R. an# the countries occu ie# >e)en as o" late 1-42? by Re# Drmy troo s. *a"
2 $hili Hughes2 'ope 'ius the *leventh ,7e' Jork: +hee# M 5ar#2 1-.7*1-.;/2 . 2=-*270.

$od grant that the free world >sic&an# the +o)iet's ca ti)e nations2 tooE? ma" not ha(e to regret m" silence one da". ,!!!*14-&my em hasis a##e#/ .

!n )ie' o" these abo)e #e ictions an# character*assessments o" t'o #istincti)ely #i""erent $o es2 'e may become more a'are o" t'o things: not only about $ius %!!'s sensiti)e hesitations2 but also about his re#ecessor's contrastingly more ob#urate2 e)en clenche#2 resoluteness2 to inclu#e his erce tibly o stinate silence about 6ur 0a#y o" Fatima an# also about the heroic lay lea#er o" beset $ortugal himsel"2 Dntonio +alaNar. 5hat ! ha)e only recently an# )ery su##enly come to realiNe & i" as yet in but an inchoate 'ay & is that $o e $ius %!'s o'n B +estpolitikC & to inclu#e his #i lomatic olicy o" conciliation to'ar#s anti*clerical*socialist*largely assi)ist $olitical France2 an# e)en to'ar#s the com lementary an# ten#entiously $rogressi)e French Hierarchy an# 9lergy & in#is ensably hel e# to "orm ,an# "urther #e"orm/ his o'n gro'ing astigmatisms an# #elusional e4 ectations about his 9atholic Ostpolitik to'ar#s the +o)iet Knion #uring the years "rom 1-22*1-..2 but es ecially in those mani"ol#ly #ecisi)e years o" 1-21*1-2=2 Aust be"ore the $a al con#emnations o" o'er2 a"ter a brie"2 Pamene).C/ For2 i" one no' consi#ers the strategically re aratory years o" 1-21*1-2= an# ho' #e"tly the French go)ernment an# the rogressi)e*ecumenical French Ecclesiastics both hel e# "acilitate $ius %!'s Ostpolitik & es ecially by 'ay o" smoothing the 'ay "or the chimerical o erations o" the soon*to be*ma#e (isho 8ichel #'Herbigny an# "or his three tri s to )isit +talin an# +talin's +o)iet Russia & one is then much more unsur rise# by2 an# more attenti)e to2 the big BReturn Fa)orC2 the .uid 'ro .uo2 that +ocialist*8asonic France an# the $rogressi)e 9hurchman in France 'oul# soon seek "rom $ius %!. They 'ere to seek some )ery s ecial recom ense "or that Bs ecial #i lomatic "a)orC they ha# ro)i#e# Bto hel the $o e.C Dn# 'hat 'as it that they 'oul# so soon seek an# recei)eE !n the 'or#s o" FrGre 8ichel #e la +ainte TrinitH2 it 'as to be some actions "rom Rome that 'ere to ai# the gra)e 'eakening o" Tra#itional ,not Aust 7ationalist an# latently 8onarchist/ France: actions that 'oul# also "oster the un#ermining o" a strategic 9atholic 5itness an# 8oral Resistance in
. !n $o e $ius %!!'s im ortant 22 +e tember 1-42 0etter to 8yron Taylor2 F.D. Roose)elt's s ecial en)oy ,or in"ormal2 but e""ecti)e2 ambassa#or/ to the Iatican2 the $o e @uite can#i#ly re)eals his o'n struggles o" conscience in con"lict 'ith his ur orte#ly e4 e#ient $a al silences about a )ery #ubious an# short*sighte#2 secular #i lomatic Be4 e#iency.C

ction

,ran-aise. ,I.!. 0enin ha# #ie# on 21 <anuary 1-242 an#2 then2 <ose h +talin 'as gra#ually to take o)er recarious erio# o" Bthe trium)irate go)ernment o" +talin2 Oino)ie)2 an#

France. Dn# that truly gra)e trage#y 'as un'ittingly to come about2 says FrGre 8ichel2 #ue to: The terrible blame an# harsh canonical sanctions >inclu#ing e4communications? that struck the members o" ction ,ran-aise from +eptem er of ,-./ to *arch of ,-.0 . Thus it ha ene# that2 to re eat an e4 ression o" 9ar#inal $acelli >later $o e $ius %!!?2 B'ell*kno'n an# sometimes )ery meritorious 9hristians 'ere treate# 'ith a rigor not a lie# to in"i#els >an# certainly not to the 9ommunist $arty an# its Dccom lices an# 9omintern /omenklaturaQ?.C ,!!&1-.&my em hasis a##e#/ 5e must notice the years2 an# the s eci"ic inter)al o" time o" these cumulati)e sanctions. They 'ere in"licte# not )ery long a"ter Father ,later (isho / 8ichel #'Herbigny's French*"acilitate# an# a ally a ro)e# missions o" Ostpolitik 'ere success"ully launche# an# then #ubiously arri)e# on +o)iet soil. FrGre 8ichel ha# ose# his o'n acutely ertinent @uestion2 an# then o""ere# a re ly: 5oul# the Iatican "inally un#erstan# that its conciliator" polic" to'ar#s the (olshe)iks ha# resulte# in a crushing failure >not only because2 an# 'hen2 the Dmerican Father E#mun# 5alsh2 +.<.2 'ith an acute sense o" "utility an# o" +talin's cruelty2 ma#e his o'n insistent an# "inal #e arture "rom 8osco'?2 that it was not onl" illusor" and (ain, ut disastrous for the Church and ChristendomE Dlas2 noQ For 8osco' cle)erly ma#e ne' a#)ances2 to 'hich the Iatican hastene# to res on#. ,!!&1;2&my em hasis a##e#/ +ome ten years later2 in <une o" 1-.7 & i.e.2 still #uring the + anish 9i)il 5ar an# three months a"ter $ius %!'s "orce"ul2 but all*too*belate#2 Encyclical against Dtheistic 9ommunism2 0ivini 1edemptoris ,1- 8arch 1-.7/ & the magnanimous 9harles 8aurras himsel" & the Hea# o" the 1-2=* 1-27 a ally con#emne# ction ,ran-aise & 'as then still 'holehearte#ly an# ublicly su orting Bthe $o e's courageous 9rusa#e against (olshe)ism an# 7aNism.C !n#ee#2 some'hat sur risingly2 he e)en 'rote a 0etter to B+ister 8a#eleine o" the 9armel o" 0isieu4C 'hich sho'e# his "uller ers icacity: !t is enough to ha)e rea# an# "ollo'e# e)ents closely. !t is enough to see: the resent crusa#e against communism ha# been re@ueste# in ,-.. >11 years earlier? " Cardinal *ercier o" 8alines >(elgium?2 while the first act of the pontificate 1of Pius XI2, in April of ,-.., had een to ma#e >Ostpolitik? ad(ances to 3olshe(i# 4ussia which were a omina l" repaid5 Dn# FermanyQ Fermany2 'hich ha# been "e#2 co##le#2 strengthene# in e)ery 'ay2 an# 'hich res on#s & Aust like the FermansQ & to so man" imprudent enefits.... 1

Ha)e ! tol# you ho' the great + anish errors 'ere #etermine#2 like a lightning bolt2 by a generous lunder o" Ping Dl"onso %!!!2 for whom Cardinal *err" del )al had requested protection so that he would not e treated li#e Cardinal 3illot >his sought*"or resignation in 1-27?E !n 1-.12 the >+ anish? clergy ha# been mo ili6ed against the monarch" an# o)erturne# it2 an# 'hen a religious an# national somersault ha# some'hat restore# the + anish situation2 the "ear o" all "irm an# o'er"ul ci(il authorit" once again turned the spiritual forces in fa(or of the re(olution 2 in February o" last year >1-.=?. D sa# history2 an# it 'as the same 'ith you >in the 9hurch in France an# Rome?Q The "amous confidential memorandum >E? ai#ing an# su orting the Re#s in 1-24: 'hile at Rome 9ar#inal (illot >a su orter o" ction ,ran-aise? hear# these 'or#s >"rom $ius %! himsel"?: BJour Frenchmen ha)e )ote# )ery ba#ly.C B8ost Holy Father2 it is your nuncio's "ault.C B8y nuncio a lies my policy, my policy, my policy...C And he anged on the ta le. D most un"ortunate olicy. Dn# then again2 in 1-2=2 their loyal ser)ants in ction ,ran-aise 'ere ushe# asi#e2 as ha# been their >the $o es'? loyal ser)ants in the +ociety o" <esus in the eighteenth century3 and the re(olution >'ith the com licity o" the same BFiron#ist*8enche)iksC or 0iberal 9hristian Democrats an# the +illonists? went on with gusto e(en in those circles which were least prepared for it . ,!!&=--*700&italics in the original2 my bol# em hasis a##e#/ Ds Dle4an#er +olNhenitsyn re eate#ly sai# an# 'rote2 the Firon#ins al'ays re are "or the <acobins2 the 8enshe)iks al'ays re are "or the (olshe)iks. For2 unlike the Firon#ins an# 8enshe)iks2 the <acobins an# the (olshe)iks are not hesitant nor s@ueamish about bloo#2 nor about the har# use o" o'er. The Firon#ins an# the 8enshe)iks & an# the +illonists2 'e #are to a## & so"ten things u an# in"lict their o'n #ebilitating2 e)en sentimental2 sub)ersions: an e4am le o" Bthe cruelty o" sentimentalismC ,in the 'ise an# 'i#ely a licable 'or#s o" 8aike Hickson/. +uch is the 'ay o" Buto ian an# re)olutionary #emocracyC & es ecially 'hen it is also2 like 8arc +angnier's +illonists2 a s eciously Breligious #emocracyC & 'hich o"ten enough2 as both 9harles 8aurras an# +aint $ius % sa'2 becomes a morally #isarme# an# e""ecti)e Baccom liceC or Buse"ul i#iotC "or a man like +talin2 'ho 'as himsel" a much har#er re)olutionary an# also a calculating Bgran# strategistC 'ho takes a much longer )ie' o" things2 at least in tem oral terms. ,He robably #i#n't kno' ho' big a 8illstone is./ D "e' years be"ore $o e $ius %!! 'as to beati"y an# then to canoniNe $o e $ius % & on . <une 1-11 an# on 2- 8ay 1-142 res ecti)ely & an incongruous an# seeming er"i#ious set o" acts trans ire# in France2 er etrate# by t'o o" $ius %!!'s close associates2 8onsignor Roncalli an# =

8onsignor 8ontini. 5e ro ose to consi#er these actions be"ore 'e return to the time o" 5orl# 5ar !!2 an# to ho' $o e $ius !! himsel" ambiguously acte# a"ter 22 <une 1-41. Ds 'e consi#er no' 'hat later "lagrantly ha ene# in France on the occasion o" the #eath o" 8arc +angnier in 1-102 'e must recall that $o e +aint $ius % ha# romulgate# in 1-10 his im ortant Encyclical on the +illon 8o)ement an# the +illonists2 an# its #eclare# e4 ansion into Bthe Freater 9osmo olitan +illon.C The Encyclical is entitle# /otre 2harge postoli"ue ,6ur D ostolic 8an#ate/2 being a##resse# to the French (isho s2 an# its symbolic #ate o" romulgation 'as on 21 Dugust 1-102 the Feast o" Ping +aint 0ouis !% o" France. 5e shoul# also take note that the monarchist 9harles 8aurras2 the "oun#er o" ction

,ran-aise2 ha# also "our years earlier ublishe# a searching book on the Hea# o" the +illon ,B 'urrow2C in English/2 entitle# 3e 0ilemme de !arc 4angnier ,1-0=/. 8oreo)er2 8aurras ha# ublishe#2 t'o years a"ter the 1-10 Encyclical2 a collection o" his o'n earlier ublishe# articles an# analyses on Religious Democracy in France2 entitle# 3a 'oliti"ue religieuse ,1-12/. D thir# book 'as to be ublishe# t'o years later2 an# entitle# 3& ction fran-aise et la 1eligion catholi"ue ,1-14/. This later book2 it 'ill be notice#2 came a"ter +aint $ius %'s maAor anti*mo#ernist Encyclicals an# "ollo'*u !otu 'roprio: namely 3amentabili 4ane *#itu ,D 0amentable De arture !n#ee#/ o" . <uly 1-073 'ascendi 0ominici 5regis ,Fee#ing the 0or#'s Flock/ o" ; +e tember 1-073 an# the 6ath against 8o#ernism on 1 +e tember 1-102 in the 8otu $ro rio 4acrorum ntistitum, an 6ath 'hich 'as abolishe# & ut quietl" rescinded & by $o e $aul I! ,8ontini/ in <uly o" 1-=7. ,That is to say2 all the Fathers an# $eriti at the Iaticanum !! 'ere still re@uire# to ha)e taken the solemn 6ath against 8o#ernism2 an# 'e hesitate to ask ho' many o" them & not only Parl Rahner & ha# earlier be"ore the 9ouncil2 or at least #uring the years 1-=2*1-=12 e@ui)ocally or une@ui)ocally erAure# themsel)es./ 5ith res ect to 9harles 8aurras an# his ction ,ran-aise 'hich 'ere a ally con#emne#

#uring the years o" 1-2=*1-27 & an# not )ery long a"ter $ius %!'s o'n s len#i# Encyclical on 9hrist the Ping2 .uas 'rimas ,11 December 1-21/ & he an# his literary "rien#s 'ere to ublish in ,-., an inclusi)e )olume o" 8aurras' earlier 'ritings2 entitle# 3a 06mocratie religieuse ,1-21/. This ro"oun# 'ork combine# the three abo)e*mentione# 'orks ,1-0=2 1-122 an# 1-14/2 along 'ith some ne' an# )ery use"ul summaries an# in#e4es o" names an# themes. There"ore2 at the time o" .uas 'rimas ,11 December 1-21/ an# the later Iatican 9on#emnations2 9harles 8aurras' thought 'as )ery o en an# 'ell kno'n an# elo@uently articulate#2 an# not at all obli@uely2 especiall" on the matter o" uto ian an# 7

re)olutionary #emocracy2 to inclu#e its )arious counter"eit "orms o" so*calle# Religious Democracy. (ut to return to 1-10 an# to the #eath o" 8arc +angnier2 "ormer chie" o" Bthe Freater +illon.C !n his s ecial D en#i4 ! ,!!!&.12*.7-/ entitle# BThe Dlarming $rogress o" +ub)ersion in the 9hurch ,1-10*1-1./2C FrGre 8ichel begins his analysis in an une4 ecte# 'ay: 6n <une 12 1-102 'hile re arations 'ere being ma#e "or the canoniNation >on 2- 8ay 1-14? o" the $o e 'ho ha# con#emne# >in 1-10? the ernicious an# chimerical #octrines o" the B+illon2C at $aris2 a solemn "uneral ser)ice at 7otre Dame 'as being grante# to 8arc +angnier2 honorary resi#ent o" the 8.R.$. >in English2 the $o ular Re ublican $arty&the 9hristian Democratic $arty?. !t is remarkable2 ho'e)er2 that at first 0ocumentation catholi"ue "elt boun# to a certain #iscretion on the founder of the +illon2 contenting itsel" 'ith #escribing the e)ent )ery brie"ly. 5oul# anyone #are to bra)e the )igorous con#emnation o" $ius % >40 years ago?E To #eli)er our $aris rogressi)es "rom all "ear2 nothing less 'as nee#e# than the inter)ention o" t'o highly lace# members o" the hierarchy2 'ho 'ere both calle# to the most brilliant "uture. They 'ere Arch ishop 4oncalli2 then the 7uncio at $aris2 an# *sgr& *ontini2 substitute "or >subor#inate to? the >Iatican? +ecretary o" +tate. In this summer of ,-78, oth of them deli eratel" too# the side of the inno(ators against the reigning Pope. ,!!!&.12*.1.&my em hasis a##e#/ $o e $ius %!! 'as alrea#y #istrust"ul o"2 an# in an ongoing contention 'ith2 the !talian statesman2 De Fas eri concerning the le"t'ar# sli#e an# conscious shi"t to the 0e"t o" B9hristian DemocracyC in !taly & e)en in its e4 licitly announce# Bo ening to the le"tC ,B apertura 7 sinistraC/2 an# in its "irm reAection o" any o ening to the Right. 8ean'hile2 u in France 'e are to see the analogously #ubious Rehabilitation o" 8arc +angnier an# his +illonist Doctrines an# 8o)ement: 6n <une = >1-10?2 >moreo)er2? Drchbisho Roncalli sent this letter o" con#olences to 8rs. +angnier2 'hich strongly resemble# an act o" allegiance to the 8o)ement an# i#eas o" the +illon. ,!!!*.1./ !t is thus "itting to gi)e some sense o" this scan#alous 0etter2 using Roncalli's o'n 'or#s3 BDear 8a#ame2 ! "irst hear# o" 8arc +angnier at Rome aroun# 1-0. or 1-042 at a meeting o" 9atholic youth. The o'er"ul "ascination o" his 'or#s2 o" his soul2 ha# thrille# me2 an# the li)eliest memories o" my entire riestly youth are "or his erson an# his olitical an# social acti)ity.C ! interru t our @uotation >says FrGre 8ichel?2 "or this stu e"ying te4t is 'orth rea#ing o)er an# commenting u on. Dt Rome in 1-042 Father Roncalli 'as not2 as 'as the young relate $acelli >$ius %!!?2 enthralle# by the Nealous soul an# ;

"iery 'or#s o" $o e +aint $ius %. 7o2 he 'as thrille# by Bthe o'er"ul "ascinationC o" 8arc2 Bo" his 'or#s2 o" his soulC an# o" his 9political and social acti(it": which was insepara le from his doctrine . ,!!!&.1.&my em hasis a##e#/ Earlier in his analysis2 FrGre 8ichele ha# also sai#2 by 'ay o" clari"ying contrast: !n contrast 'ith the mortal hatre# 'hich the ringleaders of neo;modernism and progressi(ism bore the holy $o e >$ius %?2 $ius %!! 'ishe# by his canoniNation >o" him? to im ose his e4am le an# his #octrine on the entire 9hurch....6ne nee# only remember the "ormula o" Father >Henri? (rHmon# in his discourse of reception into the Acad<mie fran=aise in ,-.>: B! ha)e li)e# un#er "our onti""s: $ius !%2 0eo %!!!2 (ene#ict %I2 $ius %!.C +aint $ius %E 'or our cr"pto;modernist >so a#mire# by 8ichel #'Herbigny2 +.<.?, he had not e!isted. BThis saint is not o" my arish2 >FranRois? 8auriac >a cry to* <ansenistE? 'oul# say #uring the >8ay 1-14? canoniNation....!n 1-4-2 four 1progressi(e2 ?esuits 'ere ro ose# >by the <esuit +u erior Feneral2 'ather ?anssens? to $ius %!! "or the ost o" secretary general o" the 9entral 9ommission "or the Ecumenical 9ouncil in re aration >'hich 'as later entirely cancelle# by the mani ulate# an# misle# $o e?. They 'ere 'ather 3ea, 3o"er, Charles, and Dhanis....Finally2 the ic" silence >concerning 'atima? o" the <esuit +u erior Feneral ><anssens? is in astonishing contrast 'ith the enthusiastic attitu#e o" Father +uareN >a + aniar#? 'ho 'as electe# 8aster Feneral o" the Dominicans in 1-4=. ,!!!&2=.2 .02&my em hasis/ +uch is a glim se o" 'hat the sensiti)e an# o"t*hesitant $ius %!! ha# to conten# 'ith. (ut2 to return to Roncalli's 1-10 0etter to 8rs. +angnier: BHis >8arc's? noble an# great humility in acce ting later2 in 1-102 the affectionate and benevolent admonition of 'ope 4aint >sic? 'ius (2 gi)es the true measure o" greatness in my eyes.C <ean 8a#iran rightly comments2 B0et anyone rerea# his letter /otre charge apostoli"ue o" Dugust 212 1-212 they >sic? 'ill see to 'hat e4tent the wa" @uncio 4oncalli spea#s manifests a total effronter".C !t is trueQ As a fallacious reinterpretation of e(ents, it seems difficult to do etterQ For in the en#2 +aint $ius %&a"ter many "atherly a#monitions2 it is true &com letely con#emne# the gra)e errors o" the +illon an# the cul able obstinacy o" its lea#ers....>For e4am le2 "rom the 1-10 Encyclical itsel":? B9ounsels 'ere not lacking to them >'rote the holy o e?2 admonitions came a"ter the counsels3 but 'e ha# ain in seeing advice and reproaches bounce off their elusive souls an# remain 'ithout results.C ,no. 1/ B Thus the" go, against the grain of Catholic doctrine, towards a condemned ideal .C ,no. -/ BThe dream of +illon&&& uilds its cit" on a theor" contrar" to Catholic truth .C ,nos. 1-*20/ BJes2 alas2 the equi(ocations are shattered3 the social action o" +illon is no longer Catholic... Jes2 truly it can be sai# that the +illon con)eys -

socialism2 its e"e fi!ed on a chimera.C ,no. .;/ BWhat has ecome of the Catholicism of the +illonA Dlas2 this lim i# an# im etuous current has been ta#en o(er in its path " the modern enemies of the Church 2 an# hence"orth "orms only a miserable current o" the great mo(ement of apostas" organi6ed in all countries for the esta lishment of a uni(ersal church with neither dogmas, nor hierarch", nor rule for the mind, nor a ridle for the passions....C ,no. 40/ The integral te4t o" this masterly #ocument has to be rea# to gras the scan#alous character o" 7uncio Roncalli's letter. ,!!!&.1.*.142 .7=*.77&italics in the original3 my bol# em hasis a##e#/ 7ear the en# o" his letter2 Roncalli soars e)en more in the s'elling eroration o" his tribute2 also "or the sake o" a resumably grate"ul B osterity2 to which the e#ample of !arc 4angnier will remain as an instruction and an encouragementC ,!!!&.1.&italics in the original/ an#2 thus2 he says: B6n the occasion o" his #eath2 my s irit 'as )ery com"orte# to see that the most authoritati)e )oices a le to spea# in the ublic li"e o" France came together2 unanimously2 to wrap *arc +angnier in the honora le cloa# of the +ermon on the *ount>Q?. D more elo@uent homage an# raise coul# not be ren#ere# to the memory o" this outstan#ing Frenchman2 'hose contem oraries 'ere able to see in him >as in (isho 8ichel #'Herbigny2 +.<.E? the can#or o" a ro"oun#ly 9hristian soul2 an# noble sincerity o" heart.C ,!!!& .14 em hasiNe#/ To make this situation e)en more oignant an# rescient2 FrGre 8ichel summariNes the #ark so histry o" 7uncio Roncalli's "ulsome maneu)er ,an# maybe also his #ee er characterE/2 an# then mo)es on to mention2 in this conte4t2 the lamentable 'eakness o" $o e $ius %!! himsel": !n short2 Drchbisho Roncalli2 in a letter >to 8rs. +angnier? clearly inten#e# to be circulate# >in its "ullness 'hich 'e #o not no' @uote? in French olitical circles2 canoni6ed the founder of +illon 2 reAoicing that "or their art2 B the most authoritati(e (oices in 'rench pu lic life,: *asonic, laici6ing and socialist (oices2 also canoniNe# him in their own wa". Through his e4cessi)ely com lacent >an# unmistakably unctuousE? letter2 Drchbisho Roncalli 'as surely going beyon# Roman #irecti)es. !t must be note#2 howe(er2 that2 in spite of Pius XII%s immense admiration for Pius X an# his "irm 'ill >E? to im ose $ius %'s #octrine an# e4am le2 since ,-BB Pius XII had rallied o(er to Christian Democrac" >hence2 to Ccumenical Democracy2 as #istinct "rom $ius %!'s o'n B Catholic DctionC?2 of which *arc +angnier was the undisputed master. $ius %!! ne(er daredDnot a single time in the innumera le discourses which fill the twent" ul#" (olumes of his pontifical documentsDto recall the (itall" important teaching in the 9Eetter on the +illonC >/otre 2harge postoli"ue?. This silence sa"s a great deal a out the fidelit" of Pius XII himsel" >e)en? to the s irit o" the holy $o e grante# to the 9hurch "or our >20 th? centuryQ Kn"ortunately2 this fidelit" was 10

(er" incompleteQ ,!!!&.14*.11&my em hasis a##e#/ ,Ds ! also recall2 but cannot no' "in# the re"erence2 the scholar2 Father Robert D. Fraham2 +.<. also says that $ius %!! ne)er ublicly @uote# $ius %!'s 1-.7 0ivini 1edemptoris2 against 9ommunism./ Re"erring to $o e $ius %!!'s trouble# conscience an# a#mitte# moral BsilenceC & or sel"* censorshi & concerning the ne' an# utati)ely Be4 e#ientC 5artime Dlliance 'ith the +o)iet Knion a"ter 22 <une 1-412 FrGre 8ichel re eats the $o e's earlier*@uote# 'or#s to 8yron Taylor2 an# a##s: BThis silence 'hich 'eighs on our conscience...C Jes2 $ius %!! 'as >againQ? torn2 hesitant...9ertainly the message o" Fatima im resse# him. Dn# like his "rien#2 9ar#inal +chuster >o" 8ilan?2 and *sgr& Tardini as well2 he ercei)e# the gra)e #anger "or Euro e an# the 'orl# i" +talin 'on too sweeping a )ictory. (ut he also ha# a great #eal o" sym athy an# a#miration "or the great democratic and moral principles proclaimed by Roose)elt. He also feared displeasing 4oose(elt2 and some of his own entourage &among others2 9ar#inal 8aglione >+ecretary o" +tate? an# 8sgr. 8ontini2 not to mention the clan o" Faullists2 grou e# aroun# 9ar#inal Tisserant2 8sgr. <ulien an# 8sgr. Fontenelle&surely in"luence# him in this sense >i.e.2 o" the nee# to su ort (ig Democracy an# a (ig E4 e#ient B+ilenceC about +talin's Russia?.... >8oreo)er2? !n 'riting these terri le lines >o" his earlier*@uote#2 intimate characteriNation o" the $o e?2 'as 9ar#inal Tar#ini thinking o" the influence *sgr& *ontini e!erted on Pius XIIE !t is )ery robable2 "or the li)ely tensions bet'een the $o e's t'o closest collaborators re)eal that 9ar#inal Tar#ini #i# not a reciate his colleague's encroachments an# haNar#ous >le"t'ar#2 rogressi)e? initiati)es. >To his abo)e*@uote# characteriNation o" the $o e? 8onsignor Tar#ini a##e#: B!n his e4@uisite amiability2 the $o e #esire# to see those 'hom he recei)e# in au#ience >thus e)en 8yron Taylor? lea)e him 'ith a grate"ul memory... t certain moments he >the 9hurch's 9hie" E4ecuti)eQ? was unable to say /o.C Ds it concerne# $resi#ent Roose)elt an# his s ecial en)oy2 8yron Taylor2 this real wea#ness of Pius XII was undou tedl" com ined with a de ata le political (iew: the $o e #i# not 'ant to risk gra)ely #is leasing the powerful American democrac"2 on 'hich Euro e's "ate rinci ally #e en#e# a"ter the 'ar >sic&another illusion?.... 6n 6ctober .12 1-422 $ius %!! er"orme# the consecration o" the 'orl# to the !mmaculate Heart o" 8ary. It was a half; measure, an incomplete act....The $o e ha# 'ante# to #o something to o e" 6ur 0a#y o" Fatima's re@uests. Fet he ha# not #are# to #o e)erything +he re@ueste#. Dn e4 licit mention o" (olshe)ik Russia2 an# a solemn act o" re aration to "inally obtain its con)ersion >to the 9atholic Faith?2 'oul# ha)e ro)oke# strong #is leasure "rom +talin's allies. The $o e un#oubte#ly "eare# those reactions. ,!!!&111*112&italics in the original3 my bol# em hasis a##e#/ 11

Ds 'e mo)e "ittingly to'ar#s our conclusion2 'e may brie"ly consi#er the "urther actions o" 8sgr. 8ontini #uring the 1-10s2 an# es ecially his o'n #ee er mo)es to rogressi)ism ,or 'orse/: 5hile at $aris >in the summer o" 1-10? 7uncio Roncalli 'as rehabilitating 8arc +angnier2 at Rome2 three 'eeks a"ter Humani 5eneris >12 Dugust 1-10& the Encyclical 'hich 'as a sort o" u #ate# +yllabus o" Errors?2 the Pope%s most intimate colla orator >8sgr. 8ontini? was encouraging and protecting the neo;*odernists. 6n +e tember ;2 1-102 8sgr. 8ontini recei)e# <ean Fuitton >an# it 'ent on "rom thereQ?....5ith an unbelie)able au#acity2 the substitute +ecretary o" +tate e4 laine# to Fuitton >#ocumente# in Fuitton's o'n #etaile# 1-=7 book2 0ialogues with 'aul 8)? that Bthe French theologiansC >'hose erroneous i#eas 'ere mentione#2 but without their names2 in Humani 5eneris? were 9wrong to take as condemnation what was only a warning, a call to prudence, maturit", to go more slowl" . This is a sign o" a aternal #irection2 'hich is ins ire# by admiration.C !n other 'or#s2 there 'as nothing to be a"rai# o". $ius %!! 'oul# go no "urther2 he 'oul# not con#emn the inno(ators by name&8sgr. 8ontini 'oul# guarantee that. Ds "or himsel"2 8ontini encourage# them >9ongar2 #e 0ubac2 et al.? to continue2 an# 'hat is more2 he sai# he Ba#mire#C them2 he Ben)ie#C them >sic?. What effecti(e support gi(en to the su (ersion of the Church " one of the highest )atican authorities, in the Pope%s own antecham er Q ,!!!&.11*.1=&italics in the original3 my bol# em hasis a##e#/ !t 'as note# by others2 also by FrGre 8ichel2 that2 a"ter Bthis Holy Jear o" 1-102C 8sgr. 8ontini #eclare# himsel" more an# more o enly "a)orable to rogressi)ism2 in o osition to his $atron >an#2 more subtly2 to his $atron's ro ose# #ogmatic council?. !n the antechamber2 #iscourses coul# be hear# contrary to those hear# in the $o e's o""ice3 thus 8ontini began a clan#estine o osition to the olicy o" $ius %!!....This 'as also no #oubt the erio# 'hen 8sgr. 8ontini 'as on the si#e o" >the #esigne#ly obstructionist <esuit riest2? Father 9harles an# his "rien#s to create obstacles to the >1-4;*1-11? re arations "or the "uture Ecumenical 9ouncil. 8sgr. Tar#ini 'as #eci#e#ly "a)orable to the i#ea o" a >Doctrinal2 Dogmatic? 9ouncil >as "irst ro ose# by the great 9ar#inal Ru""ini o" +icily? an# ma#e it kno'n....>(ut? on <anuary 42 1-112 $ius %!! resigne# himsel" to aban#oning this roAect against his better Au#gment2 #eclaring: BThis 'ill be "or my successor.C +urely 8sgr. 8ontini ha# been o" the same o inion also2 since the 1,-BG2 eginning of the preparator" wor#. ,!!!&.1;*.1-&my em hasis a##e#/ The remain#er o" this D en#i4&!!!*.1-*.7-2 to inclu#e the "i"ty #etaile# "ootnotes & shoul#

be closely stu#ie#2 an# rayer"ully so. !" this is thoroughly #one 'ith atience an# Aust #i""erentiations2 the rea#er's )ie' o" that im ortant time be"ore the 1-=2*1-=1 Iaticanum !! 'ill be #ee ene# an# enriche#. Dn# e)en i" he 'ill not better come to un#erstan# the Di)ine $ro)i#ence here2 he 'ill 12

un#erstan# more o" the truths that are im ortant to our Faith2 an# also the roots o" the #isor#ers still momentous in sub)erting our li"e o" the Faith an# the 9hurch. For2 as it use# to be more o"ten sai#: B!t #i#n't start 'ith the Iatican 9ouncil.C Coda To 'hat e4tent #oes the Rally to Democracy mean a Rally to the Re)olutionE ,Dt least to'ar#s a 16volution anti:catholi"ueE/ !" it #oes2 shoul# 'e not be e)en more cautious about B9anoniNing Democracy2C an# e)en a ur orte#ly B9hristian Democracy2C 'hich is o"ten enough an e@ui)ocal 9once t an# an ambiguous2 #i""usely ecumenical RealityE Dn#2 unlike Drchbisho Roncalli2 'e shoul# not e""ecti)ely canoniNe 8arc +angnier himsel"2 much less his increasingly un*9atholic an# more inclusi)e "orm o" B9hristian Democracy2C kno'n as the 4illon or the 4illon 8o)ement2 'hich 'as so acutely unmaske# an# strongly rebuke# by $o e +aint $ius % in 1-102 in his Encyclical /otre 2harge postoli"ue. Dlrea#y back in 1;;4 an# 1;-22 'hen the great $o e 0eo %!!! "irst une4 ecte#ly calle# "or a Bra rochementC ,though a cautious one/ 'ith the laSc an# anti*clerical French Thir# Re ublic ,1;70* 1-14/ an# then later e)en a B1alliement to DemocracyC itsel"2 it seeme# to many "aith"ul 9atholics an# their struggling "amilies e""ecti)ely to be Ba Rally to the Re)olution.C For2 those same "aith"ul 9atholic "amilies ha# long been resisting the gna'ing e""ects o" the French Re)olution an# its subtler attem ts at B#e*9hristianiNation by e#ucationC an#2 thus2 by controlling the Bteacher e#ucation2C as 'ell. 5hen one care"ully rea#s the !talian $o e 0eo's cautious an# highly #i""erentiate# t'o Encyclicals on these themes & /obillissima 5allorum 5ens ,; February 1;;4/ an# u milieu des sollicitudes ,1= February 1;-2/ & one sees no encouragement2 no hint2 to BRally to Re ublican Principles2C much less to BRally to the Premises of the 4e(olutionC an# its #ece ti)e Democratic Dialectic. !n ractical terms2 ho'e)er2 it 'as #i""icult to a ly these conciliatory $a al ro osals 'ithout a gra#ual 'eakening o" one's B9ultural !mmune +ystemC an#2 thus2 one's sustaine# 9atholic Resistance ,or BRecusancyC/. +uch conciliations 'ith the 0iberal Re ublic an# 6ligarchic Democracy 'ere an e)en greater challenge an# bur#en to one's honor an# integrity2 es ecially in the care an# "ormation o" the little chil#ren. +o2 too2 to#ay2 'ith the ro agation o" certain "orms o" Ecumenism an# B+illonistC Democracy ,e)en in the 9hurch/2 both o" 'hich seem to be more like a BRelati)iNing an# Dissi ating +yncretismC an# also a "orm o" tra#itionally con#emne# BReligious !n#i""erentism.C The stu#y o" the earlier history o" these sub)ersi)e mani"estations2 as 'e ha)e but brie"ly trie# 1.

to #o in this essay2 'ill strengthen our un#erstan#ing an# our Aust sense o" ro ortion2 an#2 sub 5ratia 0ivina2 "orti"y our characters to li)e out 'hat 'e kno' to be the truth: to be a 9atholic 5itness to the en#2 an# thus ne)er asking the (lesse# 8other to lea)e the 8arriage Feast o" 9ana. 7or to Rescin# Fatima. **Finis** T 2014 Robert D. Hickson

14